LITTLE ROCK - Larry Coker has one major gripe about his coaching reputation.
“I get a bad rap sometimes around the country,” the former Miami coach said. Anybody that says you’re a ‘players’ coach’ — that’s a negative. You know what, I want to be a players’ coach.
“A coach that cares about whether kids graduate. ... I want to be a players’ coach that makes sure that we compete at a high level ... and a person that really cares about the players.”
Coker, who spoke for about 30 minutes at the Little Rock Touchdown Club on Monday, went 60-15 and won a national championship at Miami, but was fired last year.
His final season was marred by a bench-clearing brawl during a game with Florida International, but Coker’s appreciation for his players was evident even as he discussed that fight.
“It was a total embarrassment for the university and myself and for those players,” Coker said. “The thing that really just eats me up is that the perception is out there that you’ve got a bunch of thugs and bad kids, and that’s not the case.”
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
CollegeFootballTalk headlines |
Video: Football from NBC Sports |
Memphis fulfills BCS dream Tigers officials thrilled to announce that school has been accepted to join the Big East Conference in 2013. |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
more photos |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |
Slideshow |
NBCSports.com |